Every year on April 28th we pay our respects to, and remember, the thousands of workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents. We also honour the many families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies.

What better way to educate our teens about distracted driving than to have them participate in a mock crash in their very own community. That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday, April 25. Students and staff from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Bradford were on scene to witness and play victims in the mock crash that involved a GO Train and a SUV.

After a voyage through battlefields and historical monuments in Italy, 32 students and teachers from Jean Vanier Catholic High School in Collingwood travelled to the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge ceremony.

The ChangeTheWorld - Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge is a program that aims to empower youth aged 14-18 to be a positive force in their local community. Kicking off on National Volunteer Week and running for six weeks, secondary students from across the province are encouraged to volunteer at a local volunteer centre for the 10th anniversary of the ChangeTheWorld campaign.

One of the amazing programs that the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board offers to students is the Dual Credit program. Dual Credit is a course where students receive a college and high school credit at the same time and is taught by college faculty and supported by a high school teacher.

Burkevale Protestant Separate School in Penetanguishene has received Ministry of Education funding for a classroom addition as well as facility upgrades. The $3.5 million project includes the replacement of a temporary porta-pac facility with four new permanent classrooms as well as upgrading the existing HVAC, lighting and other building components.

Over the last several months, Grade 7 and 8 students from the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board and the Simcoe County District School Board have been hard at work trying to find solutions to everyday problems. Now, on Wednesday, April 19, the 360 local student inventors will finally be able to showcase their creations at the Learning Partnership’s annual Invention Convention.

After months of competition, two students from Father F.X. O’Reilly Catholic School in Tottenham and St. James Catholic School in Colgan, have advanced to the high school level of competition in the Royal Canadian Legion’s public speaking contest.

Earlier this month, St. Mary’s Catholic School students in Collingwood welcomed visitors including students and staff from other schools, Trustee Shawn Cooper and Superintendent Jane Dillon-Leitch to experience an afternoon of coding. The teachers took a backseat to their students who played instructor and led their very own professional development workshop.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may be tough, but 11 year-old fan Joshua Landriault has certainly proven his strength over the past months. The St. Ann’s Catholic School student from Midland has been a long time hockey and lacrosse enthusiast and he recently got the surprise of a lifetime.

As our students and staff have been getting ready for their once-in-a-lifetime experience at Vimy Ridge, a lot of preparation has been taking place to ensure that participants truly appreciate what they will be a part of.

March has been filled with exciting news and events. Whether it was taking part in Ash Wednesday mass, checking out our Skilled Trades Competition, participating in Math Olympics or preparing for Vimy Ridge, our students and staff have been busy. We are excited to see what April will bring!

One of the amazing programs that the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board offers to students is the Dual Credit program. Dual Credit is a course where students receive a college and high school credit at the same time and is taught by college faculty and supported by a high school teacher.

On April 4th, a group of enthusiastic students and staff from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in Tottenham will be travelling to Europe to partake in ceremonies and activities for the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.